Records that survive
These are the record series the Tennessee State Library and Archives (TSLA) has microfilmed for Greene County, with the office that kept each and the earliest and latest years filmed. A span can include gaps.
Land and deeds
- Deed Index · Register of Deeds1785–1973
- Deeds · Register of Deeds1785–1986
- Entries, Land · Register of Deeds1824–1905
- Surveyor's Books · Register of Deeds1824–1905
- Trust Deeds · Register of Deeds1841–1983
- Misc. Land Sales, Records of · Chancery Court1897–1920
- Trust Deed Index · Register of Deeds1900–1974
- Plat Books · Register of Deeds1915–1973
- Plat Index · Register of Deeds1915–1973
- Deed Index Direct · Register of Deeds1974–1988
- Deed Index Reverse · Register of Deeds1974–1988
Wills
- Wills (Loose Records) · Probate Records1780–1883
- Wills · Probate Records1780–1986
- Wills ** · Probate Records1828–1893
Estates and guardianships
- Settlements, Admin. and Exec · Probate Records1802–1985
- Settlements, Administrators · Probate Records1802–1810
- Settlements, Index · Probate Records1803–1810
- Estates, Inventories · Probate Records1828–1971
- Estates, Insolvent · Probate Records1853–1901
- Probate Record, Index · Probate Records1856–1965
- Settlements, Guardian · Probate Records1872–1982
- Bonds, Administrators · Probate Records1882–1973
- Bonds, Executors · Probate Records1882–1973
- Bonds, Guardian · Probate Records1882–1973
- Estates, Claims Against · Probate Records1921–1973
- Inventories and Settlements · Probate Records1971–1985
Marriages, births and deaths
- Marriages · County Clerk1780–1987
- Misc. Vital Statistics, Births · County Clerk1825–1939
- Misc. Vital Statistics, Deaths · County Clerk1825–1939
Tax lists
- Tax Books · Trustee1809–1983
- Misc. Delinquent Tax Book · Chancery Court1938–1972
Military and pensions
- Military Discharges · Register of Deeds1865–1988
Court orders and minutes
- Minutes · County Clerk1783–1973
- Minutes, Civil · Circuit Court1809–1986
- Minutes, Criminal · Circuit Court1815–1986
- Minutes · Chancery Court1825–1986
- Enrollments · Chancery Court1828–1845
- Minutes, Civil Index to · Circuit Court1828–1832
- Minutes, Index to · Chancery Court1829–1984
- Minutes · Probate Records1838–1888
- Minutes, Index to (Loose Rec.) · County Clerk1856–1947
- Minutes, Road Commission · County Clerk1858–1973
- Minutes · Greeneville, City of1872–1970
- Minutes, Criminal Index · Circuit Court1900–1961
- Minutes, Index · Circuit Court1901–1950
- Minutes · School Board1928–1982
- and 3 more series in the full listing
Other records
- Misc. Census Index · County Clerk1830–1910
- Misc. Rhea Academy Records · School Board1852–1861
- Misc. Widow's Support Book · County Clerk1865–1905
- Leases, Oil and Gas · Register of Deeds1867–1987
- Misc. Professional Licenses · County Clerk1897–1924
- Cash Journals · Trustee1921–1941
- Min., Ord., Resol., Pln. Comm · Greeneville, City of1964–1967
Open TSLA's full microfilm listing (PDF)
Source: Tennessee State Library and Archives, county records microfilm listing. Some record titles reflect the segregated record-keeping of their time. Statewide birth and death registration began in 1914, after a brief statewide attempt in 1908–1912.
Where to find the records
- Greene County official website
Hours, addresses and phone numbers for the register of deeds, the county clerk and the chancery and circuit court clerks, and any online record search the county offers.
- The register of deeds
Deeds, mortgages and other land records, usually from the county's beginning.
- The county clerk
Marriage licenses and bonds and the county court's minutes. For most of the 1800s the county court also handled wills, estates and guardians.
- The chancery and circuit court clerks
Lawsuits, including the chancery suits families used to divide land and settle estates.
- TSLA: Greene County records on microfilm (PDF)free
Every filmed volume with its years and roll number, by office.
- Tennessee State Library and Archivesfree
The state archives in Nashville, with microfilm of county records from every county.
- FamilySearch Catalogfree
Search by place for "Tennessee, Greene" to find filmed and digitized records, many viewable free online with a FamilySearch account.
Offices change their hours and access rules; call before you visit.
Boundaries and parent counties
Formed from: Washington County
Check the parent county for earlier records: Washington County
Later formed partly from Greene County: Cocke County, Hawkins County, Jefferson County, Knox County
Records stay with the county that created them. If your ancestor lived here before 1783, search the parent county. The Atlas of Historical County Boundaries shows each boundary change.
Research tip
Tennessee's county court minutes record estate settlements, guardians, road orders and much more. When a will is missing, look there and in the chancery court, where families often went to divide land.